Vladimir Putin, Imran Khan express grief over Amritsar train mishap

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan offered condolences over the train accident in Amritsar, which claimed nearly 60 lives.

In a message to those affected in the tragedy, Putin said, "I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of killed people and to wish soonest recovery to those injured."

Khan wrote on his Twitter handle, "Saddened to learn of the tragic train accident in Amritsar India. Condolences go to the families of the deceased."

The accident took place in Choura Bazar near Joda Phatak area of Amritsar on Friday, where a large number of people had gathered along a railway track to watch burning of Ravana effigy when a Jalandhar to Amritsar local train crushed them. In the tragedy, as many as 59 people lost their lives while 57 others sustained injuries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the train tragedy. He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had ordered a probe into the incident and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He also directed senior officials to rush to the accident site for the rescue operations.

The Punjab Chief Minister also set up a crisis management group to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts.